Once again we found ourselves close to the Somerset / Devon border (we spend a lot of time travelling up and down the Link Road!). As usual we thought we would combine our journey with a feed in a local hostelry. After a little bit of searching on line, we came across The Redwoods Inn, Uplowman. I gave them a quick call to book Sunday lunch and was met with a really friendly and chatty landlady called Juliet. She confirmed that my diet could be catered for and reserved us a table for Sunday lunch.

When we arrived, we met Juliet in person. What a lovely warm and friendly welcome. Exactly what you want from a pub on a miserable and wet autumnal day. We ordered a drink and sat down to decide what to eat. There was a Specials Board and, because it was Sunday, a roast option.

Sunday roast at The Redwoods Inn

There were three choices of meat for Sunday lunch – Beef, Pork and Lamb and the roast came in two sizes, small and large. I fancied some pork as it’s not a meat I cook often at home, so I ordered a small plate (I wanted to save room for pudding!). Hubby ordered the same, except the larger plate. The roast came with a choice of two vegetables from an immense list. The only vegetable that wasn’t gluten free was the cauliflower cheese. Both of us chose red cabbage (it’s a very traditional Hungarian vegetable to have with a roast). I ordered the swede and hubby ordered the cauliflower cheese, and because we are greedy we ordered some honey roast parsnips too.

Juliet checked with the chef Paul, her partner, whether he had any gluten free gravy in and he offered to make me some. We sat in a window seat, soaking up the weak sunshine that had decided to make an appearance, eagerly waiting for our lunch. When it arrived it was piping hot and looked delicious.

We both tucked in immediately and were silent for the best part of our meal as it was so spot on. It was a real, proper, ‘roast-feed’ and plentiful too. Even though I ordered the small plate, there was more than enough food. The swede was buttery and peppery, the pork tender, the roasties were crispy on the outside and floury on the inside. The parsnips were magic – really crispy and sticky. Stand out was the red cabbage though. It was mixed with apple and cranberry, and had just the right amount of sweetness. It certainly gave my mother in law’s a run for its money.

All in all the main course was just amazing – well cooked food, excellent flavours and very hearty.

Dessert at The Redwoods Inn

I was actually very full, but hubby persuaded me to share a dessert. I could eat either the Raspberry Pavlova, or something called a Toffee Topolino. We went for the Toffee Topolino and were not disappointed. It consisted of layers of ice cream and meringue. Although it looked like it may have been bought in, the presentation on the plate with single cream and toffee sauce was excellent. It tasted very nice too and was just light enough that I didn’t groan from over indulgence as usual.

The pub decor was a little bit tired, but don’t let that put you off at all. The friendly welcome and the excellent food, more than make up for it.